CUAUTLA, Morelos – Three men with aspirations to run for political office in upcoming municipal and state elections in Mexico were brutally murdered in separate incidents in the first week of January. These targeted attacks have raised concerns about the safety of political candidates and the potential for violence in the lead-up to the elections on June 2.
Alfredo Giovanni Lezama Barrera, a councilor in Cuautla, Morelos, was the first candidate to be murdered in 2024. The 37-year-old, who aspired to become a National Action Party (PAN) deputy in the state Congress, was shot and killed at a local gymnasium. His murder was followed by the homicides of mayoral aspirants David Rey González, 54, and Sergio Hueso, 35, in separate incidents in the states of Chiapas and Colima.
These violent acts have occurred just five months before a historic election, which is set to be the largest in Mexico’s history, with over 19,000 positions at stake. The timing of these murders has raised concerns about the safety of politicians and the potential impact on voter turnout and the democratic process.
The targeted killings of “pre-candidates” in the first week of the year are a grim reminder of the violence that marred the 2018 elections, in which scores of politicians were murdered. The upcoming elections now face the challenge of ensuring the safety of candidates and voters amid the heightened risks of political violence.
The murders have sparked political reactions, with opposition candidate Xóchitl Gálvez criticizing the response of ruling party politicians to the killings. Gálvez, who will represent the PAN-PRI-PRD alliance Strength and Heart for Mexico at the presidential election, called attention to the need for a different and democratic country where opposition candidates can voice their opinions without fear for their lives.
While the federal government has been working to address issues of insecurity and violence, the murders of political candidates highlight the ongoing challenges facing Mexico’s political landscape. As the investigations into these targeted killings continue, the country faces a critical period in ensuring the safety and integrity of the upcoming elections.
In conclusion, the targeted killings of political candidates in the first week of January in Mexico have raised concerns about the safety of politicians and the potential for violence in the lead-up to the upcoming elections in June. These violent acts bring to light the ongoing challenges of political violence and the need to ensure the safety and integrity of the democratic process. Despite efforts to address issues of insecurity, these targeted killings highlight the critical need for continued vigilance and measures to safeguard the electoral process.